In 2023, one of your main priorities should be the in-store customer experience.
Despite the rise of e-commerce, 41 percent of customers still prefer to shop in brick-and-mortar stores (Forbes), which shows there’s still a big demand there. After all, in-store shopping comes with a range of benefits, such as allowing customers to experience and test products in person before making official purchases.
Interestingly, 84 percent of companies that focus on improving their customer experience report increased revenue as a result (PR Newswire). In a nutshell, the better your customer experience, the higher your revenue will go.
So, how can you improve your in-store customer experience today without splashing tons of cash? To help your business thrive, this guide has gathered together a list of top tips that will take your customer experience to a much higher level, which should then result in happier (and more loyal) customers.
1. Play Music — It’s Proven to Work
When the modern customer steps inside your store, they don’t want to walk around in awkward silence. Instead, they want to hear music in the background that might reflect the current season or events and trends that are taking place in your business. This way, it creates a much more immersive and relaxing experience for them — ultimately putting them in the mood for spending.
As you probably know already, you have to be careful when playing music inside your business because of licensing reasons. Luckily, you can do what Mcdonald’s, AT&T, and lots of other big companies do by using XM radio for business. You’ll gain access to 240+ music channels and 10,000+ Pandora Artist stations, enabling you to tailor your in-store customer experience through the power of music. It’s a no-brainer.
2. Choose the Right Lighting
Believe it not, lighting is so important when it comes to the customer experience.
This is especially true when you’re selling products that customers will wear, such as clothes and shoes.
If your lighting is harsh and overly bright, then it’s going to turn customers away. This is why many businesses use LED and halogen lamps inside their showrooms, as the lighting is bright yet atmospheric, which means customers aren’t overwhelmed. Plus, this type of lighting makes everything look better, which is great for sales purposes.
3. Welcome Customers with a Smile
Whether you have one or ten staff inside your store, it’s important to always welcome customers with a smile.
For example, when you step inside any Apple store, you’ll usually be greeted by at least 1 employee at the entrance who welcomes you inside and immediately puts you at ease. It works very well and is one of the main reasons why Apple stores are so busy — their customer experience is amazing.
Taking this into account, make sure that your team of employees is instructed to greet customers politely and with a smile. Also, they should always make an effort to approach customers in-store to offer their assistance. Availability is key!
4. Offer Different Payment Methods
Lastly, offer customers different payment methods. This should include:
- Credit and debit card
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
Remember, mobile payments are now used by more than 2 billion people around the world (Business of Apps), so you’re running the risk of turning customers away if you don’t offer modern payment methods.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
